What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (the most common of which are a continuous cough, fever/high temperature, loss of/change in sense of smell or taste) you should make an appointment through the NHS Inform website or telephone: 0300 303 2713 (open 7am-11pm. You will be advised where to go for a test. If you test positive, you must self isolate – support is available.
Getting tested if you have no symptoms of COVID-19
Almost 1 in 3 people who have COVID-19 don’t have any of the usual symptoms but are potentially passing the virus on to others. While good progress is being made with the rollout of the vaccination programme, the virus still poses a risk. That’s why local arrangements are in place for people without symptoms to get tested. Testing can help us to move to an even less restrictive way of life. It means you can find out if you are positive – even if you’ve received vaccination – and take immediate action to stop the spread of the virus, by self-isolating.
Options include visiting our testing centre in Musselburgh where you can get tested or collect a kit to take home, attending a mobile testing unit (see further details of both below), ordering home delivery of a testing kit online or collecting a testing kit from a local pharmacy.
Test centre for East Lothian residents with no symptoms
A COVID-19 testing centre aimed at identifying positive cases among people showing no symptoms is located at the former Stoneyhill Community Centre, Musselburgh.
Getting tested is quick and easy. No appointment is required and you can get tested more than once. The facility is open to everyone from East Lothian as long as you don’t have symptoms – a fever, cough, or loss or change of smell. If you do have symptoms, you need to book a test elsewhere.
You can also visit the facility to collect a test kit to take home.
Opening hours are 11am-6pm (Tuesday to Saturday). Address: 5 Stoneyhill Farm Road, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 6RN
Find out more about the test centre.
Watch a video about community testing.
Mobile testing units
It’s also possible, even if you have no symptoms, to get tested at one of the mobile testing units currently being deployed around East Lothian. You don’t have to live in the community being visited on a particular day to get tested there. The current schedule is below. Times of operation are 10am to 6pm unless otherwise stated:
Tuesday, 20 July; Wednesday, 21 July
- Dunbar Leisure Pool
- Mercat Bar and Grill, Whitecraig
- Loch Centre, Tranent
- John Muir House, Haddington*
Thursday, 22 July
- North Berwick Community Centre
- Mercat Bar and Grill, Whitecraig
- Loch Centre, Tranent
- John Muir House, Haddington*
Friday, 23 July
- North Berwick Community Centre
- Port Seton Centre
- Loch Centre, Tranent
- John Muir House, Haddington*
Saturday, 24 July; Sunday, 25 July
- Dunbar Leisure Pool
- Loch Centre, Tranent (until 5pm on the Saturday)
Walk-in appointments are available. While appointments are not needed they are preferable as this will save yourself time. Bookings can be made from 6pm on the day prior to when you get tested online at: get a free test online or by phone: 0300 303 2713. When asked why you are booking a test, select: ‘my local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’.
* Scottish Water will be carrying out essential works on Court Street, Haddington, from 19 July until 6 August. The road entrance/exit to John Muir House via Brewery Park will be temporarily closed from 22 July. Access for anyone visiting the COVID mobile testing unit in the car park, will be via Neilson Park Road only.
Home delivery of rapid lateral flow test kits
Another option if you have no symptoms is get home test kits delivered to your home. Order free packs of rapid lateral flow tests online
Pick up a test kit from a local pharmacy
A number of pharmacies in East Lothian have stocks of rapid lateral flow test kits, which are suitable for home testing if you have no symptoms. You can check your nearest collection point online.
What happens if I do test positive for COVID-19?
You will need to self-isolate. Practical, confidential support is available within the testing facility, to support you and your household, if you test positive. We can give you advice on different financial help which is available. If you need general advice (not health advice), advice on self-isolation support grants, assistance with food or assistance with fuel poverty you can:
- find information through our coronavirus webpages
- email us: publicinformation@eastlothian.gov.uk
- phone our helpline: 01875 824300
Other helpful telephone numbers:
- East Lothian Council 01620 827827
- 24 hour emergency line 01875 612818
- Emergency Social Work 0800 731 6969
Further information on wraparound support available for self-isolation can be found by calling the National Assistance Helpline on 0800 111 4000.
What happens if I test negative?
You should continue to follow all national guidance including following current restrictions and physical distancing. Although you may not have the virus at this time, it is still circulating and there is a risk of catching it.